Regulator recommendation : Aqualung,Scubapro,Apeks

[nhawrylyshyn]

Any recommendations on the followings regs or perhaps others. I'm somewhat new to regulator market so am doing alot of reading:

Aqualung Titan
Scubapro MK17/G250V
Atomic Z2
Apeks xtx50

Given:
- diving will be 90% tropical (>70F) and will be under 50 dives a year
- spend under $500
- Something I can have a while, but good value
- Recreational diving only and wet suit only and is somewhat travel friendly.
- Given <50 dives a year isn't going to require alot of expensive servicing (not even sure how much an annual reg service is)

My general concensus in parousing the boards and seeing some of the regs is that:
- Scubapro 1yr servicing is a pain and the G250V is very bulky
- Titan good starter reg for everything i described above, but not very flexible
- All regs breath well.
- Apeks probably harder of the bunch to service in the US?

 

[BoltSnap]

Based on what you said, my top choices will be the Atomic and SP.

Apeks is distributed by Aqua Lung in the US and I don't think that servicing it will be a problem.

 

[Fishpie]

Titan/Micron LX or Apeks XTX 20 (no need for the more expensive sealed models if diving above 45 F).

 

[ECpirates96]

Of the 4 I would say Atomic. To stay in warranty you only need to service every two years. If a flex hose is important you can go to Dive Gear Express and get a super flex hose. You can also go with a HOG regulator and service it yourself as needed.

 

[netmage]

You can also go with a HOG regulator and service it yourself as needed.

+1....

 

[herman]

Any of them will do nicely. I would base your decision on 3 things in this order: which you like the best, which you can get serviced locally and price. Of the list Atomics would be my last choice, their dealer network is somewhat limited comparied to the others.

 

[a22shady]

I own Scubapro MK17/G250v as does my G/F the regs is awesome and Breaths great. I also own an Atomic Set (M1) which is an awesome Reg. I do understand all Atomics are built the same just some use different Metals. But even though I have dove the Z2 as did my G/F when figuring out which we wanted to buy and for us neither one liked the Z2 it just didnt feel as nice as the MK17/G250v or deliever the air as easy or nice.

Now the M1 is equal to the Mk17/G250V they are really close. The one Plus I would give to the M1 is it does feel to deliver Slightly more fully opened the the G250v but as far as deliever and performace they are very very close. The one plus the MK17/G250v has is it's a true sealed reg so my opinon is would be a little better in Very cold water (Under 33F) and in salt/dirty water has less chance to of contamination getting into reg. The M1 comes enviro sealed and I do think (not sure) but if you went with the Z2 and felt its something you wanted you could get it done. Although its not as good as the diagphram MK17 but would be very close.

 

[Akimbo]

&#8230;
- Titan good starter reg for everything i described above, but not very flexible
&#8230;

How is the Titan less flexible than the others? For the conditions you described, you can get any regulator under $200 that can be serviced in your area.

 

[chiproy]

I've been using an Aqualung Titan for the last year. I couldn't be happier with it. 300 dives and no complaints. It's a great reg, always breathes easily even with someone huffing on the alternate and it was an incredible value. It seems pretty flexible to me...

 

[herman]

Another suggestion is the Sherwood Brute. It's inexpensive, around $200 and while not a super performer for the average diver it's fine. It is about as solid and trouble free reg as you can buy. At that price you can dive it 3 or 4 years with no service and chunk it (or ebay) and come out ahead. By the way, service on any of them is going to be in the $100 range.

As for the Titan being "less flexable", sounds like LSD talk for "we don't sell those" or "I want to sell you a more expensive reg".